I’m excited about Oasis, but sad about the fate of venues that took a chance on them | Letters

Solely 11 of the 34 venues that the band played on their first tour in 1994 have survived, writes James Kirkham, while Warren Brown challenges the Britpop supremacy of both Oasis and Blur

Like many people of their mid-40s, I’m massively excited about Oasis touring next summer time (Report, 27 August). However there’s unhappiness too. When Oasis toured for the first time in 1994, 34 grassroots venues across the UK took a chance and booked them. Now, only 11 of those& places still exist – the other 23& have closed for good.

It’s a stark reminder of what we’ve lost and what it means for the future of music and communities. These 23 vanished venues have been lifelines. They have been places the place acts reminiscent of Oasis, still rough around the edges, might hone their craft. They have been part of the social material of their communities, important gathering places. Their closures mirror rising gentrification, rising rents and a society that’s increasingly prepared to sacrifice tradition for profit. When these venues disappear, we lose places you may stumble into and witness stay music which may change your life. We lose areas where artwork and group occurs, the place individuals connect.